How To Combat A Training Plateau

There is nothing more frustrating than hitting a training plateau. Whether your goals are weight-loss, weight-gain or strength & conditioning, it can crush not only your mood but also your motivation. It’s important to identify the cause of the lack in progress so you can make the necessary changes and get back to hitting your targets. To help with this common problem we’ve identified the three major causes of plateaus, and what you can do if you think these might be dragging you down.

1. Overtraining or Poor Recovery

If you’ve been training hard for a while and you never skip a day, there is a high chance you’re overtraining. This means your body doesn’t have enough time to recover between sessions. You can try adding a rest day, or switching in some lower intensity days to introduce more recovery in your routine. Another factor in recovery is your sleep quality. Deep sleep is vital for muscle recovery. If you have enough rest days but your sleep quality is low then your muscle recovery will be slower and you’ll risk injury. When you have big goals it’s important to make sure you’re getting the rest you need. If you have big goals and are increasing the intensity of your training, you may need to consider a sleep supplement such as our PowerDown to help foster deep, quality sleep.

2. Lack of Intensity and Variety

If you’re a routine person and have committed to a specific and narrow set of exercises with little change in your training program over time, then there is a chance your body isn’t getting enough variety to continue to see progress. Over time muscles will adjust to any routine, so it’s important to introduce new moves and higher intensity. Adding this variety will stimulate ongoing progress towards your goals. We also recommend working with a personal trainer or participating in a training camp as it can be difficult to maintain progress alone. A regular session with a personal trainer will ensure you’re introducing newness and challenge on a regular basis. If you’re interested in our programs click here to Contact Us.

3. Poor Diet or Insufficient Fuel

If you’re not fueled correctly then you won’t have the energy to perform. It’s as simple as that. Although this is common sense many people struggle with this aspect and it can be difficult to know if you’re getting the nutrition you need to perform at your peak. We encourage all of our athletes to work with a nutritionist to ensure they’re fueling correctly for their particular performance needs. A nutritionist will review your intake and nutrition needs and make the changes necessary to perform and recover adequately. If you’re unsure how to fuel pre-workout, or you’re often short on time, then consider adding our PowerUp formula to your pre-workout routine. PowerUp contains a balanced blend of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals to ensure your body has just what it needs to train — whether you’re an amateur or a pro this mix will set you up for a successful training session.

If you’re reading this post then we already know you’re committed to achieving your goals. So don’t let a training plateau get in your way. Try the above and don’t be afraid to get the help you need to push through and take your personal performance to the next level.